A Mirror For Our Times

Reviews / Votes

"This book reflects many years of research by Professor Paul Weller. It uses the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the Rushdie Affair to reflect on the relation between Islam in all its various forms on European society and more generally on the nature of multicultural society. It will be widely referred to by all those interested" - Professor John Rex, The University of Warwick, UK "In my honest opinion, this is the first time, I have read a book which is so neutral, thorough and fair. It is not judgemental, yet very reflective. It explains clearly what happened. I am sure that this intellectual mirror would be a useful tool for those who have and who have not lived through that turbulent time as well as those who wish to see the making of a true harmonious society. I wish that there were more academics of Professor Weller's kind in Europe." - Bashy Quraishy, Chair - Advisory Council - European Network Against Racism, Brussels; Chair- Jewish Muslim Co-operation Platform in Europe, Brussels "Professor Weller has a number of significant and controversial points to make. Some of the most interesting parts of the book are those where he traces the debate generated by the Satanic Verses affair on issues such as multi-culturalism and the atmosphere of social fear, particularly after July 2005. It is a stimulating work, one that shows an immense amount of organisation of material and structure." - Dr Ataullalh Siddiqui, Director, Markfield Institute of Higher Education, UK Mention in Derby Evening Telegraph, March 2009 Mentioned in the THE, March 2010 'This book is a major contribution to the debate over the place of religion in society. It should be widely and carefully read.' Baptist Quarterly, January 2010 Reviewed in The Muslim World Book Review, 30:4, 2010 (UK) 'Weller's book provides a fair, balanced and objective attempt to understand the complexities of and contradictions behind the Rushdie Affair' 'Eminently equipped to write on the subject, with knowledge and experience gained as Professor of Inter-Religious Relations at the University of Derby... Weller's conclusions alone provide an excellent reference framework.' Reviewed in Year's Work in Critical and Cultural Theory ... the concluding ideas can certainly be thought of as a draft for an action plan to promote serious discussion on multiculturalism. These words do matter.